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The Brown v. Board of Education case ruled that the doctrine "separate but equal" deprived African Americans of the 14th amendment and urged schools across the nation to desegregate. This event helped fuel the Civil Rights movement. It helped overturn other laws that enforce segregation in public places. This court case is considered an act of civil disobedience.
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The Montgomery Bus Boycott started after Rose Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man. African Americans boycotted Montgomery's public transportation systems for more than a year, which resulted in ruling segregation on public transport unconstitutional. This is an act of civil disobedience.
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The Little Rock Nine were nine Black students who volunteered to attend Central High School, a formerly segregated high school. President Dwight D. Eisenhower intervened with federal troops in order to escort the students inside the building safely after being met with an angry mob. This event was a response to Brown v. Board of Education and it put pressure on schools all over the nation to desegregate. This is considered to be an act of civil disobedience.
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The Albany Movement was a movement that challenged racism and discrimination in Albany, GA. It was one of the first mass movements. Although it was deemed unsuccessful at the time, the Albany Movement helped quicken desegregation in Albany's public facilities about a year later. This was an act of civil disobedience.
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The Civil Rights Act of 1964 banned segregation in all public facilities. Services could not be denied because of race, religion, or national origins. During World War II, African Americans were discriminated against for jobs opportunities, education, and homeownership. The act outlawed these actions. This event was an act of civil disobedience.
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President Lyndon B Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 which protected African Americans' right to vote. This act banned literacy tests and other discriminatory practices that prevented African Americans from voting in the South. This act was possible because of acts of civil disobedience such as the march from Selma to Montgomery.
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On a march from Selma to Montgomery, about 600 protesters were attacked by state troopers. This led to Martin Luther King Jr. organizing more than 25,000 protesters to finish the march under US government protection and led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 being signed five months later. This was an act of civil disobedience.
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The Black Panthers were a political party that protested police brutality against the African American community and confronted politicians. Its impact is still seen in today's current social movements. This was an act of self-defense since this organization was created and founded to combat police brutality.
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The Detroit Riots was one of the most violent riots in American history. Over 400 people were injured and 1,400 buildings were destroyed. These riots made the racial division clear to all Americans. This act was an act of self-defense.
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Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most influential leaders during the Civil Rights movement. His assassination caused anger among the African American community and divided Black and white Americans even further since his assassination seemed like a rejection of King's peaceful movement. Martin Luther King Jr.'s work was an act of civil disobedience.